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Bush supports abortion only in cases of rape or incest or when a woman’s life is endangered. He signed the Ôthe partial birth abortion’ bill, now blocked in the courts that would ban a late term procedure.

BudgetBush’s Budget Plan for 2005, plans to cut the deficit in half in five years. It also proposes that Congress limit discretionary spending in programs outside defense and homeland security to a .5% increase next year. Bush is in favor of a "line item veto" linked to deficit reduction, which would allow the President to reject particular items of new appropriations and spending. This would help stop "pork barrel" spending that often gets tacked on to bills in order to ride the coat tails of a larger bill. All savings from the line-item veto would be used for deficit reduction and could not be used to increase other spending.

Death PenaltyBush supports it.

Economy

Bush believes current tax cuts are helping the economy rebound, and he would like to make the recently passed tax cuts permanent. Bush wants $3,000 re-employment accounts to help the unemployed with job-search expenses. He also wants to ease business regulations, pursue more free trade deals, and increase domestic energy production. He believes we can save costs to the economy by limiting class action lawsuits and medical malpractice liability. Essentially, Bush believes that taxpayers should have more money in their pocket, which will stimulate the economy through their own personal spending choices as well as businesses who will spend to grow.

EducationBush increased college financial aid assistance by $25.9 billion, a 55% increase since taking office bringing the total aid to $73 billion. Bush plans to increase Pell grants to their highest level to date, $12.9 billion, a 47 % increase since taking office, which will help an additional 1,000,000 students. He has also proposed an additional $84 million in Pell grants to students who graduate early. This early graduation Pell grant would be in addition to the Pell grant the student already received for the year. Bush also plans to increase the number of AmeriCorps members to 75,000. Full time members receive an education award of $4,725 to pay for college or graduate school. He further wants to eliminate barriers to distance learning by enabling greater access to web-based programs and virtual schools and

Kerry

Abortion

Kerry supports abortion rights and would only nominate Supreme Court justices who share that view. Kerry voted against the "partial-birth ban" bill.

BudgetKerry’s plan calls for cutting the deficit by half in four years, in part through repeal of Bush tax cuts for wealthier Americans. Kerry vows to return to fiscal responsibility. He maintains that we will not raise taxes on the middle class by one dime, even with his ambitious healthcare proposals. He wants to restore spending caps of the 1990s to ensure that spending, outside of education and security, does not grow faster than inflation. Kerry is pushing for the Corporate Welfare Commissions to eliminate unnecessary corporate welfare and use the savings to reduce the deficit.

Death PenaltyKerry opposes "other than in cases of real international or domestic terrorism."

EconomyKerry wants to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans; keep parts of the package for middle and low-income people. He wants to spend on highways, school construction, pollution cleanup, energy projects. He wants to provide $50 billion over two years to states struggling with budget deficits. Kerry also proposed to reduce corporate taxes by 5% across the board. Essentially, Kerry wants to quickly create jobs through government spending. Kerry believes in the tax cuts for the middle class, but believes too much leeway has been given to the richest Americans.

EducationKerry wants to establish a $3.2 billion community service plan for high school students that would qualify them for the equivalent of their states four-year public college tuition if they perform two years of national service. Tax credit for every year of college on the first $4,000 paid in tuition. Credit would provide 100% of the first $1,000 and 50% on the rest. He also wants to offer aid to states that keep tuition costs down. Kerry opposes private school vouchers. He backed 2002 changes but says too much emphasis placed on tests for measuring student achievement; additional factors, such as attendance and parental satisfaction, should be considered. Kerry’s plan calls for increased pay and training for teachers in troubled schools. He is also proposing a "School’s Open ÔTil